The most distinctive aspect of Duvall's Oscar-winning performance is the way he underplays just about every moment. He evokes world weariness without needy self-pity, concentrating on the hesitancy and ache of it instead. Writer Foote got an Oscar, too. The film has a quiet, literary quality that Beresford realizes with delicate care. Pushing the film's emotion would make it crumble under the high drama of it all. Letting it play out with a restrained realism gives it a much greater impact.

Duvall delivers an outstanding performance; it's a shame the plot's duller than dirt. Here we have a character with a lot of depth and heart cast into a boring (albeit fulfilling) existence with a few scattered problems and loose ends. A forced tragedy near the end does little to heighten the film's mundane pacing. It works as a character study but not as a story because I never felt there was anything at stake. Mac's made his choices and he's where wants to be. The audience isn't.

Why Robert Duvall felt he had to make this film again, in the form of 2009's Crazy Heart, is beyond me. This was a great film. There was no need to do it again. Did he think he could improve upon it? He did not. Skip Crazy Heart and check this out instead.

Robert Duvall is quietly one of the greatest actors alive.

great, great, great acting duvall deserves more than one oscar for this movie, it's simply amazing. the story is touching, at times charming, and of course it's sad. i really wish it had a more focused plot though.

Fine work from all concerned on this spare, laconic celebration of grace and redemption in an imperfect universe. Ellen Barkin is very moving and memorable as the country singer's estranged daughter.

Boring. Extra poinst 'cause of Robert Duvall.

If you hate Paris, Texas (like I do), then you'll love this sublime variation, which features an actual script, story, and reason for being. Robert Duvall earns his Oscar with a simple, stoic performance, and damn near everyone involved seems to be awed by the simple "values" they keep circling around. Moral: you can't trust happiness.

A great performance from Robert Duvall.

Finally Duvall gets his oscar....and deservedly so.

# 725

my 74th favorite film